DRINK OR DRUGS?

Taranaki Daily News, 8 November 1919, Page 2

DRINK OR DRUGS?

To the Editor. Sir,—The above heading is that of a column In your paper of this morning, and mcthlnks that If the compiler of the headings "Drink or Drugs" and "Vice Trebled" had studied the subject a little more he would hare said "Drink and Drugs" or "Drink to Drugs," for it is generally noticed that drinking precedes drugging. However, be that as It may, here Is some testimony from places where they are supposed to know—USA The item of news I refer to Is evidently, with its heavy headings, •ntended to lead readers to think that it must be either drink or drafts, and that if we put away drink then drills mils' come into use That is quite a mistake. But let us hear what the American dealers in drugs as well as drinks-say Mr William F. Woodward, of the Clark-Woodward Dm? Company, says that Prohibition in Oregon has had a very helpful effect on business. Ho also says that It * .tot true that alcoholic drinkers have become drug addicts. Further, he says that there is ». proof whatever that there is any relationship between prohibition and the narcotic habit, and that drug addicts are not. Increasing There has been, however, more attention given to the.danger from the use of drugs, and that is evidenced In new Federal law dealing with the matter. The Hr>""lson Narcotic Law Is bringing to light many facts hearing on drug use Air. Woodward's ar'lclo is in tho American Issue.of September 27, and is. perhaps, too long to ask you to rep'int it in full, and the atw-e Is the briefest summary. Hut there is other c'dence on this issue Tho Secre'ary of the Treasury nt Washington. BC, set up n committee of experts to Investigate tho drug habit, and they admit a largo use of drugs In America, but are unable to connect It in anv way with Prohibition; nor is there anv proof that the habit is Increasing. On this sublet we must not overlook the experience of Kansas. Tho witness from this State Is Dr. R J Crumhlne, Secretary of the State Board of Health, and in a letter of June 20, 1919, he says: "I Instructed our Tavelling drug inspectors to make careful enquiry and Investigation In dm? store Inspection to determine whether or not drug addiction was widely prevalent in the State, and, if so, was it a growing evil, and what relation, if any, the evil. If found. hoTo to prohibition. Their Teport was. after months of Investigation, that outside of l he larger cities, drug addiction was practically unknown in the State, and that the maiorlty of what few drug habitues were found In the elttes were, as a rule, in people who had run the limit on liquor and general dissipation" Lot. us remember that Tfansas has had 35 years' experience of Prohibition, and still holds on. aud that Is an answer to any scare headlines —I am, etc., G H M 7-11-19.